Barbara Jean Chilton, 85

Barbara Jean Chilton, 85, passed away Monday, April 10, 2017, at The Retreat due to complications associated with her stroke in January 2017.

Barbara was born on Feb. 14, 1932, in Olympia, Washington to Miles and Caro Crout. She grew up in the family home in Tumwater, Washington, with siblings, JoAnne, Betty Jo and Kenneth. She attended Olympia High School, graduating in 1950.

She met the love of her life, William “Bill” Chilton, while he was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington. On Jan. 2, 1953, they were married in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. In the spring of 1953, she began her life as a “wild river pioneer,” at Shafer Ranger Station, on the middle fork of the Flathead River. Her first summer home was a walled tent and many new experiences awaited the city girl! In November 1953, their daughter, Carol Ann, was born. Summers were spent in Shafer and the remainder of the year in Kalispell for the next five years. Jim joined the family in December 1962.

Barbara was a homemaker for many years, making sure there were always cookies in the cookie jar and that Carol Ann and Jim grew up with a true sense of what it means to be a family. She was supportive of their activities, volunteering as a room mother, making costumes for class plays, sitting in the bleachers at baseball and basketball games, and as a 4-H leader teaching many young girls to sew. She continued to be involved in her children’s lives whenever she could, helping with painting siding, decorating their new homes, dog-sitting her grand-puppies, Ice and Bing, or attending many plays and concerts at Flathead High School with Carol Ann.

Barbara started working in fabric retail in the 1970s at Sewing Directions in the basement of the KM Building. She then went to work in the fabric departments of Ben Franklin and Creative Crafts for 20-plus years until she retired. In her retirement, she became an avid Lakers fan and coach from the recliner – Bill, Carol Ann and Jim quickly learned not to interrupt the game with idle conversation!

In retirement, she and Bill became snowbirds, spending winters in Yuma and Casa Grande, Arizona. They thoroughly enjoyed their trips to Alaska, Australia and New Zealand. She made sure Bill attended the Wood-carving Rendez-vous each summer to catch up with friends and fellow woodcarvers. She was always up for a road trip and there was never going to be any moss growing under her feet! In recent years following Bill’s death in 2012, she and her sister, Betty Jo, did an annual spring road trip together and “shopped until they dropped” in Denver.

She was a fabulous quilter and a member of the Flathead Quilters’ Guild. She looked forward to attending quilt retreats sewing from daylight until way past a normal person’s bedtime with her quilting friends! Everyone was always appreciative to receive one of her creations and will cherish them forever. Some have traveled as far as Australia. She loved flowers and her yard and deck were a mass of color with many people stopping by during the summer, commenting on how beautiful her yard was.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Miles and Caro; husband of 59 years, Bill; infant son, John; sister, JoAnne; and brother, Kenneth.  

She is survived by her daughter, Carol Ann, of Kalispell; son, Jim, of Somers; sister, Betty Jo, of Aurora, Colorado; and nieces and nephews in California, Washington, Nevada and Minnesota. She also leaves behind many close friends and was “mom” to more than just Carol Ann and Jim.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, April 17, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home.

Barbara was attuned to the needs of the homeless and disadvantaged youth in Kalispell; consequently, in lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Heart Locker, School District No. 5, 233 First Avenue East, Kalispell MT 59901; Flathead High School Activities, 644 Fourth Avenue West, Kalispell MT 59901; or Sparrow’s Nest of Northwest Montana, P.O. Box 8384, Kalispell MT 59904.

Friends are encouraged to visit www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolence for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.